NZ Vettori, Ryder injury worries for 5th match

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and Jesse Ryder are injury concerns for their side’s must-win fifth one-day international against Pakistan in Hamilton on Thursday.

Vettori suffered a hamstring injury in the two-wicket loss in Napier on Tuesday that gave Pakistan a 2-1 lead in the series, while Ryder was a late withdrawal from that match after he suffered a bruised finger at the weekend.

“We’d be pretty hopeful about Jesse,” coach John Wright told reporters in Hamilton on Wednesday. “I’m not quite so sure about Dan, I think it’s just general stiffness but we’ll have to have a look.

“He’s probably more uncertain but we’ve got a physio who is very experienced so we’ll act on the expert’s advice.”

New Zealand’s entire World Cup squad are in Hamilton so they should be able to cope with late decisions on Vettori and Ryder, though the hosts had hoped to field their strongest line up for the final two matches of the six-game series.

“I’ve always believed at this level you pick your best side, that tends to solve a lot of problems because you have your best chance of winning and getting some momentum going,” Wright said.

“Players identify with the opportunity to play and those who miss out want to take their place, so I’ve always thought survival of the fittest.”